Apparatus for making confections



Marh. 3, 1936.

s. QUATTRIN tr AL APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONFEC TIONS Filed March 12, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l jNVENTORJ .iAA/TE Ganrnenv Imam/9. BALD] I ATT ORNEY March 3, 1936. SIQUA'IITRIN ETAL 2,032,812

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONFEGTIONS Filed March 12, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F895;), 2 5 75 3 75 75 73 7 7 5 E 7 l} 2 '7 '72 1-72 1 us-1mm INVENTORJ- 54/1/75 Gun rr/e/u' ase/=11 IE. 5443/ ATTORNEY March 3 1936. s. QUATTRIN ET AL 2,032,812

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONFECTIONS Filed March 12, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 63 "/ll/ll/I/I/l z 5- 5 INVENTORJ TOJE'FH E. 644

ATiORNEY.

March 3, 1936. S. QUATTRIN El AL 2,032,812

APBARATUS FOR MAKING CONFEGTIONS Filed March 12, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORI 54/1/75 670/: ve/1v TosEPH 8440/,

ATTbRNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR MAKING OONFECTIONS Sante Quattrin and Joseph R. Baldi, San Francisco, Calif.

Application March 12, 1932, Serial No. 598,430

9 Claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for making confections, and particularly to candy molding machines. v

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method for molding candy, whereby the use of starched molds, and the delay due to long cooling processes, and other disadvantages at--v tendant to present day methods of molding and cooling plastic candy. are entirely obviated.

In our improved method and apparatus the plastic candy is positively molded in individual molds, then cooled by a part of the apparatus, and then directly ejected onto a coating machine if desired; all the above mentioned operations being performed automatically and in synchronismythus the use of starched trays, and of separate storage places for cooling, and the manual handling of trays and molds are eliminated.

Other objects and advantages are to provide a method of and apparatus for molding confections that will be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positiveness of operation,-and facility and convenience in use and general emciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered'to be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in'other forms; and it is also to be understood that in-and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied. I

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a side view of the machine constructed in accordance with our invention, the coating machine and the discharge end of the conveyor and sprockets being shown in outline, both machines being shown broken away in the center to indicate any desired length.

' Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the depositor taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, the central portion being broken away to indicate any desired length.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view of the assembly 01' the molds on the supporting bars.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the gate between the adiacent compartments of the depositor, the section being taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental perspective view of the depositor, the conveyor and the molds being shown somewhat diagrammatically.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the eccentric actuating mechanism for the depositor.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental sectional viewof the filler depositor.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the filler depositor, 5

glge section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 9 is a fragmental sectional view of the sprayer device.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the sprayer 10 device, the section being taken on the line llll0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental view of the ejector device.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of the ejector 15 device, the section being taken on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the intermittent driving mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the intermittent 2o connection between the driving mechanism and the depositor, the section being taken on line I l-44 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the driving mechanism indicating one of the intermittent drives, the section being taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 13.

In its general organization our improved method of candy making includes "the carrying of individual molds past a sprayer or other coating device wherein a coat of liquid, such as suitable oil, is applied to the. molds, which liquid is capable of preventing the adhesion of plastic candy to the molds. Then the molds are carried in a continuous operation to a depositor to receive separate masses of plastic candy; the filled molds are carried through a cooler, and are lastly brought to an ejector mechanism, which latter ejects the cooled masses of candy from the molds, preferably onto the conveying mechanism of a chocolate coating machine.

In carrying out our invention we make use of an apparatus which includes a molding machine A, and a coating machine B. While in this illustrative embodiment of our invention the machine A is employed to cast or mold cores or fillings for confections coated with chocolate or the like, it is to be understood that the molding machine A may be used for molding any kind of confection which is cast in individual molds.

The molding machine A comprises an endless conveyor 6, which has an upper lap I and a lower lap 8. The conveyor 6 carries a plurality of transverse rows of molds 9. The molds 9 are carried in upright position throughout the upper lap I of the conveyor 6 and are held in substantially inverted position throughout the lower lap 3. The portion of the conveyor 6 where the molds are brought from inverted position into upright position is hereinafter referred to as the intake end of the conveyor 6. The portion of the conveyor where the molds 9 are turned from upright to inverted position, is herein referred to as the discharge end of the conveyor 6.

On the lower lap 8 and adjacent the intake end of the conveyor 6 is a sprayer or coating device H, to apply a coat of suitable anti-adhesion liquid to the molds 9.

Above the intake end of the upper lap I is a filler device l2 which in some cases drops comparatively solid cores or filling, such as cherry, or nut, into the molds 9. Near to the device I2, and mounted on the frame I3 is a depositor mechanism M to drop, predetermined quantities of plastic candy, in separate masses, into the respective molds 9. Between the depositor mechanism l4 and the discharge end of the conveyor 6 is a cooling tunnel ill, of any desirable length and temperature, through which the conveyor 6 travels.

The discharge end of the conveyor 6 is guided downwardly closer to the intake end I! of the coating machine B, to discharge the cooled and molded candy onto the machine B. It isto be noted that in this illustration the machine B is directly beneath the molding machine A.

Above the lower lap 8 of the discharge end of the conveyor 6 is an ejector device Hi to cause the loosening and dropping of the molded candy from the inverted molds, preferably immediately when the molds 9 are brought into inverted position.

The machine is provided with a driving mechanism l9 only at the portion of the conveyor 6 adjacent its intake end. The driving mechanism is is adapted to impart intermittent movement to both laps of the conveyor 6, and also to operate the depositor l4 in synchronism with the conveyor movement.

The various mechanisms of the molding machine A are so coordinated, that the molds 9 are automatically coated when passed through the sprayer device H, and separate masses of plastic candy are fed into each row of molds 9 as the same is held below the depositor 14 at each stop of the intermittently moving conveyor 6. Ihe rows of molds 9 are so spaced from each other, relatively to the conveyor movement, that at each stopping of the conveyor 6, arow of molds 9 is in registry with the depositor 9.

The length and the temperature of the cooling tunnel i6, as well as the speed of the conveyor movement, are so determined as to suit ably cool the molded candy by the time it reaches the ejector device I8.

The conveyor 1 consists of two pairs of endless chains 21!, trained around sprockets 22 at the intake end, and around sprockets 23 and idlers 24 at the discharge end of the conveyor. pairs of chains 2! are spaced from each other to define the width of the conveyor 6. The chains ii of each pair are also in parallel spaced relation with each other and are connected to each other by short transverse abutments 26, for engagement by the driving mechanism l9. The sprockets 22 are journaled on a shaft 21 in the frame l3. The sprockets 23 are mounted on a shaft 28 in a standard 29 at the discharge end. Suitable guides 3! along the paths of the chains 2| guide the conveyor.

The.

On the inner chain 2| of each pair of chains are provided spaced flanges 32. The spaced respective flanges of the opposite sides of the conveyor 6 are in registry with each other. A pair of parallel bars 33 connect each set of opposed flanges 32. The bars 33 have longitudinal dovetail grooves 34 on their adjacent faces. Each mold 9 is provided with dovetail projections 36 on the opposite. sides thereof to engage the grooves 34 thereby to hold the molds 9 and the bars 33 together. The bars 33 may be secured to the respective flanges 32 in any suitable manner. For instance in the construction herein shown, end pieces 34 flt into the ends of the dovetail grooves 34 and are detachably fastened by screws 31 to the flanges 32, thereby to hold the bars 33 and the row of molds 9 thereon in position, and also to fixedly space the chains 2| and complement the conveyor 6.

When assembling, the molds 9 can be inserted endwise between the bars 33, end to end, to form the desired row of molds, then the end pieces 34 are inserted in place and the whole unit is fastended to the flanges 32, in the manner heretofore stated.

Each mold 9 has a solid bottom 38 and a top with a mold cavity 39 therein. The moldcavity 39 is of any desired shape, and is flnished by polishing or otherwise, to properly shape a plastic material therein. While each mold 9 may be made a solid unit, in the present instance, split molds are provided to facilitate ejection of the molded candy. Each mold 9 is Split at right angles to the bars 33, so that the split halves of the molds 9 may be pried apart longitudinally of the bars 33. In the ends of the molds 9 are aligned recesses 4|, into which latter fit coil springs 42 to normally urge the split halves of the molds '9 together. The springs 42 also hold the adjacent molds 9 slightly spaced from each other to provide clearance for the opening of said molds 9. The bottoms 38 of the molds 9 protrude beyond the adjacent edges of the bars 33, for engagement by the ejector device l8.

The spacing of the rows of molds 9 is determined by the spacing of the flanges 32 from each other on the same side of the conveyor 6. If it is desired to increase the spacing between subsequent rows of molds 9, then some flanges 32 can be left free. Of course, in the latter case the actuators for the depositor l4 and for the mechanism [2 should be correspondingly adjusted.

The sprayer device ll includes an inclosed housing 43 mounted on the frame l3. The housing 43 is completely inclosed except for transverse slots 44- in its opposite ends through which the lower lap 8 of the conveyor 6 passes. In the bottom of the housing 43 is formed a transverse reservoir 46. A shaft 4! is journaled in the sides of the housing 43 and above the reservoir 46. Blades or brushes 48 extend radially from the H shaft 41 to splash the liquid from the reservoir 46 onto the molds 9 as the latter are moved through the housing 43 in inverted position. Near the end of the housing 43, where the molds 9 leave said housing, are a plurality of nozzles 49 connected to a conduit 5|, which latter conducts compressed air or the like. the flow of air under pressure against the molds 9 after the latter are splashed with liquid, thereby blowing oif any surplus liquid, and distributing the liquid coating on the molds 9 into a substantially uniform film. i

The filler depositor l2 comprises a trough 52 supported at its ends on brackets 53. the latter The nozzles 49 direct being extended upwardly from the irame l3. The bottom 54 of the trough 52 has a series of holes 56 therethrough. The holes 58 are so spaced as to register with the cavities 39 of the series of molds 9 therebelow. Longitudinal guides 51 are provided along the outer edgesoi the bottom 54, on which guides 51 is slidable a plate 58. The plate 58 has a series of holes 59 therethrough so spaced as to register with the holes 56. When the holes 58 and 59 are in registry with each other, the filler, such as cherry, is allowed to drop therethrough into the corresponding series of molds 9 therebelow.

During the period when the conveyor is moved, the plate 58 is moved along the guides 51 so that the holes 59 do not register with the holes 58 whereby the passage from the holes 56 is obstructed. When a series of molds 9 is brought in registry with the holes 56 then the plate 53 is slid to a position where the holes 59 register with the holes 53 and the fillers are allowed to drop therethrough. The plate 59 may be actuated by any suitably timed mechanism. In this illustration an end of the plate 58 is slidably extended through an aperture 6! in the bracket 53. On this extension is a vertically journaled roller 33. Between the roller .63 and the bracket 53 is a cam 54 mounted on a shaft 65, which latter is journaled in the bracket 53. The shaft 56 is connected by a transmission 61, to the shaft of the sprayer It, or if so desired it may be connected directly to the driving mechanism is. The cam face of the cam 64 is adapted to push the roller 63 away from the bracket 53 at a certain portion of its movement; at other times the roller53 is allowed to move back toward the .bracket 53. A spring 68 connected to the extension of the plate 58 and to the end of the stationary trough 52, normally urges the roller 63 toward said bracket 53 so as to move the plate 58 to registering position relatively to the bottom 54. The cam 55 and the transmission 61 are so arranged and timed as to reciprocate the plate 58 in synchronism with the intermittent movement of the conveyor 6.

The depositor device l4 comprises a container or hopper ll, mounted on the frame i3 above the conveyor 3. The container Ii extends transversely across the entire width of the conveyor 6. There are partitions I2 across the conveyor 6 to divide it into a plurality of separate compartments 13. The partitions 12 are preferably integral with the walls of the container 1!. The container II is open at its top and closed at its bottom. There may be as many compartments I3 in the container II as desired. The compartments 13 contain difl'erent kinds of plastic candy so that in the same row of molds 9 may be simultaneously molded as many kinds of separate fillings or candy as the number of compartments 13. Thus the same machine may be used to mold different kinds of candies in the same operation.

The walls of the container 1| have heating jackets 14 formed therein. Each partition 12 has also a heating jacket 15 therein. The heating jackets 14 and 16 are preferably connected to each other, and contain a suitable heating element, or steam conduits. In this manner each separate compartment 13 is surrounded byproperly heated walls.

In order to allow the use of the same container II with lesser number of separate compartments, or even as a single compartment, a comparatively large aperture 65 is provided through each partition I2. These apertures 65 are usually securely covered by gates 69 held on the abutment ends of vertical guides 10. A handle 15 extends from each gate 69. upwardly above the top of the container-H to facilitate the manual removal of any or all the gates 69 thereby to allow the plastic candy to flow through the respective apertures 65 from one compartment 63 to the next. In this manner the depositor is readily adjustable for casting only one kind of candy, or different kinds of candy in definite numbers.

Adjacent the bottom of the container ll there is a longitudinal opening ll through a side wall of said container. The opening ill extends from one end to the other end of the container H, so that each and every compartment 13 is opened at one side adjacent its bottom. Over the opening ll fits a solid pump casing 18, which is fixedly secured to the side of the container H and completely covers the opening H. The pump casing 78 forms a cylinder block, with a plurality of separate vertical cylinders 19. There are, at least, two such cylinders 19 opposite each compartment 13. The lower ends of the cylinders I9 terminate in nozzles 8i. correspond to and register with the individual molds 9 of each row of molds on the conveyor 6. If there are fourteen individual molds 9 in each row, then there are also fourteen individual nozzles 8! arranged transversely above the conveyor to register with the respective molds 8. Furthermore if the container H is divided into seven compartments, with two nozzles 8i connected to each compartment, then the machine A can cast seven kinds of candles in the same operation, two of each kind in each row of molds 9.

An inlet 82 connects each cylinder 19 to the adjacent compartment 73. A plunger 83 works in each cylinder 19. All the plungers 83 are connected to an operating bar 84 above the casing 18. The opposite ends of the bar 84 are adjustably secured to vertical rods 85, which latter extend through guides 81 on the opposite sides of the frame I3. The lower end of each rod '86 terminates in a bifurcated element 89 which slidably engages the cam groove 89 of an eccentric 9|. The opposite eccentrics 9! are mounted on a shaft 92 journaled in the frame l3, and connected by a suitable transmission 93 to the driving mechanism l9, whereby the shaft 92 is rotated in synchronism with the conveyor movement. Everytime a row of molds 9 stops below the nozzles 3| the eccentrics 91 are actuated to raise and lower the rods 86 thereby moving the bar 84, and all the plungers 83, upwardly and downwardly, for an intake and discharge stroke, to discharge a separate, predetermined mass of plastic candy into each'of the molds 9. The plungers 83 remain in the discharge position until the next.

intermittent move of the conveyor 6 is completed. The cooling tunnel It may be of any suitable length and of any suitable construction. The tunnel l6 herein shown comprises outer and inner casings 96 and 91 with cooling coils 98, and a heat insulator 99 between the casings 96 and 91. The coils 98 are connected to the usual refrigerating mechanism not shown. the tunnel it are two parallel transverse openings Hll through which the respective laps of the conveyor 6 enter .and leave the tunnel I6. There are conveyor guides 3i of the usual type along the sides of the tunnel l6. Legs or standards I02 support the tunnel H5 .at the desired level above the floor.

The guide sprockets or idlers 24 adjacent the end of the tunnel l6 are mounted on brackets I03 In each end of The nozzles M are arranged to extended from the sides of the tunnel, to guide the respective inclined laps of the conveyor 9 from and to the level positions as shown. The guide sprockets or idlers 24 below the sprockets 23 are journaled on the standard 29 so that a portion of the lower lap of the conveyor 6 is guided on a short level path, immediately after the moldsv 9 are brought into inverted position. The ejector mechanism I3 is disposed above this last mentioned level path, and between these last mentioned idlers 24.

The ejector mechanism I8 comprises a platform I04 extending transversely of the conveyor 6 and above the lower lap of .the latter. The platform I04 is mounted on the standards 29. On the platform I04 are mounted a plurality of blades I06, which are arranged to register with the splits of the row of molds 9. The blades I06 are of such length that they do not penetrate into the cavities 39 of the inverted molds, but merely enter between the split halves of the molds at the solid bottom 38 sufficiently far to force them apart. The blades I06 are comparatively thin so that the molds 9 arepried apart only very slightly, merely to loosen the cooled candy, without touching it.

On each side of each blade I 06 is a hammer I01, pivoted intermediate its ends on lugs I08, on the platform I04. An end of each hammer I01 is aligned with the bottom of one half of a mold 9, and is padded at its tip I09. A spring III, secured at one end to the hammer I01 and at its other end to the platform I04 urges the hammer I01 toward the bottom of the mold 9 so that the tip I09 strikes the mold bottom lightly thereby to cause the dropping 01' the molded candy from the mold 9. A transverse shaft II2 extends'above the platform I04 from end to end, and above the other end of each hammer I01. The shaft H2 is rotated by an electric motor H3 or the like. On the shaft II2 are fixed a plurality of cams II4, one above the end'of each hammer I04 farthest from said tip I09, so that the cams II4 act against the action of the respective springs III and momentarily raise the tips I 09 away from the bottoms of the respective molds 9. Thus a vibration is created to loosen and drop the candy from the molds, without the ejector touching the candy at all. The mounting II6 of the platform I04 is adjustable to various heights above the lower lap of the conveyor, to prevent the entangling of the vibrators with the molds.

The ejector mechanism is directly above the intake end of the conveyor I1 of the coating machine B, so that the molded filling can be carried through the coating machine B, and coated in the same continuous operation, and without being touched by human hands.

The driving mechanism I9 comprises an endless chain II1 on each side of the conveyor 6, between the laps of the chains 2I. The chains II1 are considerably shorter than the lengthof the chains 2|. In fact the chains II1 are short enough to be trained around sprockets II8 journaled in the frame I3, between the intake end of the conveyor 6 and the adjacent end of the tunnel I6. Each chain H1 is so disposed that its upper lap is immediately below and between the upper laps of the adjacent pair of chains 2I, and its lower lap is immediately above and. between the lower laps of the chains 2 I.

Each chain II1 has teeth II9 extended therefrom for engagement with the connecting members 26 between the chains 2|. The teeth 9 are spaced equally to the spacing between the connecting members 20. Thus the chains II1 exert a simultaneous pull on both the upper and lower laps of the conveyors 6, but in opposite directions.

The shaft I2I of the sprocket II8 adjacent the tunnel I6 is .driven preferably through transmission I22 from a drive shaft I23, journaled in the frame I3 intermediate the ends of the latter. The transmission I22 may be a belt transmission, as shown, or it may be silent chain driven, or any other suitable transmission.

The shaft I23 is driven by an intermittent drive mechanism I24. For the purpose of illustration we show an electric motor I26, on the feathered shaft I21 of which is a slidably double jaw clutch I29. Opposite the faces of the clutch are drive discs I29 and I3I, of the usual Gen'eva" gear drive type. The discs I29 and I3I idle on the shafts I21. Fixed collars I32 at the outside faces of the discs I29 and I3I hold same against movement away from the clutch I29. The usual intermittent driven gears I33 and I34 are fixed on the shaft I23 and are engaged by roll pins I36 on the discs I 29 and I3I respectively.

It is to be noted that the driven gear I33 has eight radial notches to form radial cogs to be engaged by the roll pin I36, which latter extends from the face of the disc I29. The face of the disc I29 overlaps the gear I33, so that the driven gear I 33 will revolve substantially one eighth turn every time the pin I36 engages a cog of the gear I33. The connections between the shaft I23 and the shaft I2I, and the diameter of the sprockets II8 are so designed that the said one eighth turn of the gear I33 advances the conveyor 6 to a distance equal to the spacing between two adjacent rows of molds 9. The other gear I34 has only four cogs, otherwise the driving is similar to that heretofore described, except that the resulting movement will be as one fourth turn of the gear I34, and the conveyor 6 will be advanced twice as far as the distance advanced by the movement of the gear I 33.

Each disc I29 and I3I has a jaw clutch face, opposite the clutch I28, to be selectively engaged by the latter. The clutch I28 is shifted by a lever mechanism I31, or by any conventional control. The electric motor I26 is connected to a source of electricity by the usual switch, not shown. In the aforedescribed manner, selective intermittent drive is provided for the conveyor 6.

The transmission 93 between the shaft I23 and the eccentric 9| is also variable to change the ratio of movement as the intermittent drive is changed. This may be accomplished by the usual shifting of the belt to pulleys of different ratios. The same drive structure is utilized between the shaft 92 and the shaft 41 of the sprayer device I I. The transmissions and driving mechanisms may be changed within the scope of this invention, but ultimately the connections in all structures must be so designed that the filler I2, and the depositor I4 are operated in synchronism with the intermittent advance of the conveyor 6, consequently after the initial adjustments the rows of molds 9 are carried intermittently, but in one continuous operation, to the sprayer II, the filler I2, the depositor I4, then through the tunnel I6 to the ejector I8, to complete the molding of the candy accurately, automatically and speedily.

In order to properly time the operation of the depositor device I4 to the moment when the conveyor 6 is at rest, a separate intermittent drive connection is provided therefor. Such an intermittent drive connection ltii is illustrated in Fig. 14. On the motor shaft I2"? is fixed a gear 933, a sector I of which is cut away. The gear I39 is in mesh with a gear I42 fixedon a sleeve I43, which latter is rotatably held on the shaft I33, and is prevented from sliding on the shaft I23 by fixed collars I. A pulley or sprocket I46, as the case may be, is fixed on the sleeve I43, and is suitably engaged by the transmission 93. The gear I39 is so fixed on the shaft I21 that the cut away portion MI is opposite the gear I42 each time the operative roll pin I36 is engaged with the cogs of the respective gears I33 or I34. Hence-while the gear. I39 drives substantially a full revolution, while the roll pins I36 travel around to engage subsequent cogs of the gears I33 and I34, but at the moment the pin I36 actually engages a cog and moves the conveyor 6, the cut away gear portion I is opposite the gear I42 and the depositor I4 is not actuated until the conveyor 6 is again brought to rest.

Having thus described this invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

, 1. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor, parallel sets of transverse bars secured to the conveyor, individual molds arranged in a row on each set of bars; each set of bars being adapted to slidably receive a row of individual mold: endwise, and to hold the molds in place, each mold being split in the direction of its travel on the conveyor; and means to resiliently urge the split halves of the individual molds together.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless conveyor; transverse rows of individual molds held on the. conveyor in upright position on the upper lap, and in inverted position on the lower lap of the conveyor, means to deposit separate masses of plastic material into the individual molds; cooling means for said molds, said conveyor being passed through said cooling means during a portion or its travel; of driving means for the conveyor entirely outside the cooling means, including endless chains parallel with and between the laps of the conveyor; and means on the endless chains to engage the respective conveyor laps and impart movement thereto.

3. In a machine of the character described, an endless conveyor; transverse rows of individual molds on the conveyor being carried in upright position on the upper lap and in inverted position on the lower lap of the conveyor; each mold being longitudinally split, means to resiliently urge the split halves of the molds together, means to eject the contents of the molds, comprising a row of blades opposite the bottoms of the molds on the lower lap of the conveyor, the blades being in alignment with the splits of the rows of molds to pry the split portions of the molds apart as the latter are blades by the conveyor; and means to impart vibration to the same row of molds as the latter is carried past the blades.

4. Molds tor a machine of the character deacter described,

carried past the scribed comprising a pair of parallel bars, adapted to be secured on a carrying mechanis and a plurality of individual mold elements held be tween the bars, means of mold elements and the elements are held on the bars but lengthwise between the bars, each bars whereby the said being slidable means to urge the portions of each mold element together.

'5. Molds for a machine of the character described comprising a pair of parallel bars, adapted to be secured on a carrying mechanism, and a plurality of individual mold elements held be-. tween the bars, means of connection between the mold elements and the bars whereby the said elements are held on the bars but being slidable lengthwise between the bars, each mold element being split at an angle to the bars, resilient means to urge the portions of each mold element together, and means at the ends of the bars to prevent endwise removal of the mold elements, said resilient means being adapted to also space the adjacent mold elements apart from each other.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless conveyor, means for feeding plastic material in separate masses onto the conveyor, and means to move the conveyor and operate the feeding means in synchronism, of transverse rows of detachably united individual split molds on the conveyor to receive said separate masses of plastic material.

'7. A row of molds for a machine of the charcomprising a plurality of individual molds arranged side by side, means adapted to be secured on a carrying mechanism to detachably unite the individual molds into a row;

and means to resiliently space the adjacent molds from each other.

8. In a candy molding machine" wherein a conveyor carries a plurality of rows of molds, means for spraying the molds comprising an inclosed-housing having an inlet and anoutlet through which the conveyor and the molds pass; a reservoir formed in the housing, asplasher in the housing to splash fluid from the reservoir onto. the molds in the housing, and means in the housing to blow oii surplus fluid from the molds before the latter leave the housing.

9. In a depositor for a machine of the character described, the combination with a container to. hold plastic material havinga plurality of separate dispensing devices thereon to discharge separate masses of plastic material from said container; of partitions to divide the interior of the container into a plurality of separate compartments in operative relation to the respective dispensing devices, means to heat the walls of said container, and means related to said first heating means to heat each of said partitions; and adjustable means whereby a selected number of compartments may be communicated with each other at will.

SANTE QUA'I'TRIN. JOSEPH R. BALDI.

connection between the,

mold element being split at an angle to the bars, and resilient- 

